PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Santiago Figures Recent Success Should Keep Padres Interested

Catcher Benito Santiago knows it’s the Padres’ decision whether to keep him, but the way he has been hitting of late, he wonders how the Padre can afford to trade him.

Santiago continued his tear Saturday in the Padres’ 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants with a run-scoring double in the fourth inning, increasing his season total to 77 RBIs--two shy of his career high.

In the past 13 games, Santiago has batted .432 with 19 RBIs. In this week, he batted .480 with nine RBIs and must be considered the leading candidate for the National League Player of the Week.

“Maybe the people (in the Padre front office),” Santiago said, “will go, ‘No more, no more RBIs. Please no more. You’re going to kill us.’ ”

Santiago started laughing. He knows every RBI he puts up will be worth more at the end of the season, whether the Padres sign him to a multi-year contract or take him to arbitration.

Of course, they might trade him if they fail to sign him, as he’s eligible for free agency at the end of the 1992 season.

But, considering Santiago’s season, does he think the Padres might consider it foolish to trade him?

“You’ve got it,” Santiago said, laughing. “I’ve got them big-time. I can’t believe how great everything is going.

“I’ve never had a better week than this. The ball looks so big right now. I’ve got my year already, and there are still 19 games left. My goal right now is to play in 150 games, and see if I can drive in 90 runs.”

Santiago still was thanking teammate Tony Gwynn after Santiago achieved his career-high five-hit game Friday night in the Padres’ 13-2 victory.

What gives? A few batting tips, perhaps?

“No,” Gwynn said, laughing. “He was thanking me for telling him to stay in the game.”

Santiago, who hit safely in each of his first four at-bats, driving in four runs, was prepared to leave the game after the sixth inning. He had just gotten his fourth hit, and the Padres had a cozy 12-0 lead.

“I looked at him and asked what he was doing,” Gwynn said. “I said, ‘Benny, have you ever had a five-hit game in your career?’ He said, ‘No.’

“I said, ‘Man, if I were you, I sure wouldn’t be leaving a game when I had a chance to have five hits. Besides, you’re due up to bat next inning.’

“He looked at me, and said, ‘You’re right. I’m staying in.’ ”

In Santiago’s next at-bat, he homered.

“I’m glad he talked me into it,” Santiago said. “It was a night I’ll never forget.”

Considering the season is coming to a close, the rules committee couldn’t help but give its approval for the winner of the ex-Padre player of the week.

The winner of this week’s award goes to Santiago, who probably will be an ex-Padre before the 1992 season.

Santiago, a candidate to be traded if the Padres can not sign him this winter, batted .480 for the week with one homer and nine RBIs.

Special mention goes to Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays, who became the first player in major league history to drive in 100 runs for three different teams in three consecutive seasons.

Giants Manager Roger Craig was released from Stanford Hospital on Saturday afternoon, and is expected to be back in uniform Monday against the Atlanta Braves.

Craig was expected to rest at home today and take a treadmill test Monday morning. If the results of the test are normal, Craig could be back managing Monday night, Giant physician Will Straw said.

It was the first time Craig had missed any of the Giants’ 968 games since he became manager Sept. 18, 1985.

Ricky Bones is proving to the Padre coaching staff and front office that he will be an integral part of the starting rotation this season. Bones is 4-3 with a 3.48 ERA and has pitched 13 consecutive scoreless innings.

“He’s going to be a great one,” Santiago said. “He’s got a great arm, and he’s going to win a lot of games. He reminds me a lot of Andy Benes.”

Said Bones: “The last two games, I’ve really felt comfortable. I feel now I deserve to be here. I know now I’ve got a good chance to come back and start the season from the beginning.

“The only thing is, Benito says I should pitch more often. He says, ‘Every time you pitch, I drive in a run.’ ”

Indeed, Santiago has driven in 11 runs in Bones’ past five starts.

Gwynn, who is expected to have his left knee drained again, missed his second consecutive game. He’s hopeful of returning Monday for the start of the Padre home stand.

“I’ll play whenever my knee will allow me,” Gwynn said, “but right now I just can’t.”

Giant first baseman Will Clark on their season: “I’ve watched this all season. Everyone goes through streaks, but to go through a whole season like this is ridiculous.”

Said teammate Kevin Mitchell, who returned after missing the past five games with a sore thumb: “I ain’t got used to no losing. Right now, I stand up at the plate and look like a damn clown.”